Both visits were amazing not only because of the experience of skydiving but the intense knowledge the instructors have to keep you and themselves safe during a tandem jump , the office staff and load out staff are amazing at keeping things rolling along but they have to deal with so much more than the public will understand. Those interested in finding more about the desert flora can visit the Desert Botanical Garden. Constructed from the actual sand and stone of the surrounding Sonoran desert that sit at the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, it really is a magnificent attraction for those interested in architecture, fans of Frank Lloyd Wright himself, or just as an engaging and relevant experience for the family. The staff are professional and passionate, the grounds are modern and kept, there are all sorts of possibilities for events as well and whatever you might need as a visitor for hydration or food if you must. Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United StatesPhone: +1 480-941-1225Plants: 50,000Area: 140 acres (57 ha)Established: 1939Species: 4,379. The variety of cactus and other desert plants was another highlight. The sheep were also very sweet. Choose from guided, discovery, or custom tours, and partake in backstage adventures. Will definitely be back next time I come to Tucson. My stress was at a 99 out of 10. No. So, this beautiful place was designed by him. Opened in 1939 to conserve and showcase the ecology of the desert, these 150 acres contain more than 4,000 different species of cacti,. There are live western shows happening throughout the day on the street with live actors. Jedijoe82 This is a Visitor center for Saguaro National park. View this post on Instagram. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! The garden was a great way to see the variety of plants and learn about the ecosystem of the desert. Setting was absolutely gorgeous! We had so much fun here! Well worth the drive. Waitresses are plenty and attentive. Artists from a range of musical styles like Latin, Blues and Jazz grace the stage and give guests an evening of romance and stunning views of the desert sky. Fall and winter are also great times to visit, with October's high temperatures ranging in the mid-80s and February's highs averaging a comfortable 70 degrees. This is the crme de la crme of planning apps! Taliesin West was the winter home of the world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. We came right before sunset so we could enjoy it both in the sunlight and lit up after dark. 10:22 pm arrive at Grand Canyon National Park. The museum is a very special place. It is beyond beautiful and I would argue one of the finest collections of such natural wonders on the planet. Tohono Chul Park is an award-winning botanical garden in northwest Tucson. You could not have done anything better. SO COOL. We have been on tours to 5 other homes he designed. The mountain has been the go-to hiking trail for locals and tourists alike. Change your route From: To: Flying non-stop from Phoenix to Tucson Read about the 33 best attractions and cities to stop in between Phoenix and Tucson, including places like Scottsdale, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Desert Botanical Garden Free valet parking. Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. Find pet-friendly stops. The zoo also offers children's programs and events, splash pads, and play areas, so pack your bathing suits and towels. Art museum displaying Southwestern artist Ted DeGrazia's paintings on 10 acres of land. The linguine & meatball today the pasta was all stuck together. This was the architectural master's personal winter home, studio, and architectural campus. If this is your first visit, start with a 25-minute tour on the Safari Cruiser for a fun, fully narrated excursion past many of the Zoos most popular animals, encounters and experiences. Also, it is a nice place for children to visit as there many artworks done by kids of their age in the area nearby. Built in 1937 by the famous architect himself, it is now a National Historic Landmark. If you like food, (whose kidding, everyone likes food), book a spot on the Arizona Food Tour of Downtown Scottsdale. The trail itself was alittle dusty, but again your in a desert so it was expected. Next to the zoo is the Desert Botanical Garden featuring plants, flowers, cacti and wildlife (think roadrunners and quail)indigenous to the desert. Try to visit the zoo in the warmer months, so you can experience its splash pads. Scenic Lookouts - Find the best views of your city! The average drive time from Phoenix to Sedona is more or less 2 hours. Your phone probably won't have service either. Perfect weather and sunset. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Enjoy tours, workshops, seasonal exhibits, special events, concerts and more. Admission to DBG is about $25 per person, and be sure to bring some bottled water with you! We parked and started this particular hike around 4:40 pm and got to a perfect spot where there was a rock to sit on to watch the sunset; which was scheduled for 5:20pm. The Phoenix Zoo is the largest privately owned zoo in the United States. Souvenir and art shops. One of the Important factors for us was dogs being allowed on the trails. 4.6 Definitely remember how HOT it is. My favorite time in the Grand Canyon State is the spring, when the desert blooms. But it's clean the staff were far and few between but very nice. This Phoenix icon is only 20 minutes from downtown and hosts thousands of hikers each year. And, of course, there are always areas where the speed limit is lower because of construction or other obstacles. Looping trails lead past a profusion of desert denizens, arranged by theme (including a Sonoran Desert nature loop and an edible desert garden). The gift shop displays an exceptional collection of Southwest-inspired books, jewelry and pottery. Original paintings, watercolors, sculptures, ceramics, and more. It was a busy day, but the lines were short, none of the attractions were crowded. My family and I visited in 2000. After wandering the 49-acre botanical gardens at Tohono Chul, stop for a souvenir at one of three stores on property. Your trip begins in Phoenix, Arizona. It takes approximately 2h 9m to drive from Tucson to . But I could spend days just getting lost in this wonderful place. It covers 140 acres, and has more than 50,000 plants in display. Hikers gain 1,200 feet in elevation to the summit, which looks out over the city and Phoenix Mountains Preserve. But once again please do not remove anything from the park and keep it there for others to enjoy! It was easy to navigate. I also enjoyed there user friendly app. I would definitely come back again! 98% are all the new machines. Plenty of parking. Tempe is a city just east of Phoenix, in Arizona. It is within walking distance to the main shopping and dining area of Scottsdale so we were happy with the choice. The park's gardens were designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The photo opportunities from up here are endless, and will be a long standing point of pride. Take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad before checking out the 10,000 . 3:43 pm Roanoke stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:43 pm drive for about 2 hours. You can use DriveDistance.com to find out how far is it to drive from Tucson to Phoenix with full directions. The drive from Tucson to Phoenix is a distance of about 120 miles. I car camped there while waiting for the sunrise and it was perfect. really??? Somebody on the trail told us to watch out for tarantulas- The only thing we really saw on the ground or lots and lots of ants. Only wish we could tie the processing plant in Phoenix. Few people take a trip to the desert with the goal of finding flowers, plants, and other flora. Stroll through 5 thematic trails to explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Glenn, our guide, was super in bringing its history to life. After the ride, we had margaritas which were strong enough and a great ending. Dare to do rock climbing activities or do some real mountain trail hiking. I went a few weeks back for my mom's birthday and we had a great time! I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful activity. Ted DeGrazia, the famous Arizona artist, lived there and protected this spot. It was a unique experience. I took my boyfriend here to go on a horse ride for a late birthday present. The architect literally built his still-operating architecture school from the desert floor, sourcing local gravel and stone from the property. The showers were some of the best weve found in state parks. The cheapest way to get from Tucson to Payson is to drive which costs $30 - $50 and takes 3h 21m. Now a school campus, guests can choose from a variety of guided tours to spot things like the designers drafting studio and his personal art collection. Be ready to climb up and down using cables as support. The Desert Botanical Garden is over 140 acres and is home to more than 50,000 desert plants. Luckily we revisited before the closure. This is the largest non-profit zoo in the United States, so get ready to see some amazing animals here! My son and I love coming here. Our first visit was back in February 2019 just before the pandemic shut everything down. This place is special. Your trip begins at Tucson International Airport in Tucson, Arizona. Super easy check-in, bunkhouse is perfect, manifest is a breeze & so many loads a day, just need a second rig to do even more! Camping along the way? With a gorgeous view of the mountains, sculptures, beautiful landscaping, and donated minerals and fossilized wood in between each stop in the tour there was never a dull moment. Reconstructed 1890s town including gold-mine tours, Old West gunfights, a history museum & more. Another option to finish out the morning is to venture south to the Desert Botanical Gardens, where a variety of trails showcase sustainable and heat-tolerant plants, wildflowers and vegetation that native people have long used for medicine or building materials. This trail is difficult, and its busy, but youll understand why once you reach the top and look down. And now, Taliesin West is more accessible than ever, following several ADA-compliant upgrades, including retrofitting existing restrooms and the addition of ramps, handrails, and accessible surfacing around the site. The place is like an oasis in both a spiritual and physical sense. The massive mountain has many outstanding outdoor activities for you to enjoy as well as phenomenal panoramas from both its steep slopes and soaring summit. The service was fantastic, the room was wonderful, and we really enjoyed how clean everything was. The people there are very friendly and informative and they have a wonderful gift shop with many items as well as olive oil made from their own olive oil trees, olives, and many other nice gifts. The Desert Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination for your trip to Phoenix, and you can check it out for free if you visit on the second Tuesday of each month. Youll also find an aquarium and a tropical bird aviary. Kids love seeing the many animals at the Phoenix Zoo, including elephants, lions, and bears. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. When in Arizona, you expect to see expanses of dusty sands, with the occasional cacti or desert plant, but you dont normally expect to see a ton of greenery. While the Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,400 animals, including numerous endangered species, it's especially well known for its Sumatran tigers and orangutans. And you can see a lot but don't have to do the loop through the desert unless you want to; especially if you have young kids or are concerned about the heat. day 2 driving 4.5 hours. We thought we'd walk through in 15 minutes. Guests should bring their own flashlights. It's scary at the platform but once you step off it's wooohooo! How have I lived out this way for all these years and never even knew of this place? Im kinda afraid of parrots, but these little guys were so nice and I enjoyed their company. There are two tails inCamelback Mountain, Echo, and Cholla. Very disappointed from our last visit. Next, head back over the Tucson Mountains to downtown and stroll, shop, and eat a late lunch or early dinner on 4th Avenue and nearby Main Gate Square. I especially enjoyed the old Saguaro. Shirt's should be long sleeve. I really enjoyed watching the birds and learning about how unique the Harris hawks are in the bird world. 125 acres of animal exhibits, including a children's area & petting zoo, plus a narrated tram ride. Another market offers desert-influenced goodies and locally authored childrens books. Expansive natural area with 7 ponds & hiking trails, plus an observatory.& dinosaur-bone dig site. From easier hikes in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, to the much more challenging Camelback Mountain. Discover the tranquil vibrancy of desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes. The big draw was that the team used materials found in nature (rocks, sand, etc) to keep the design in balance with the surrounding environment. View this post on Instagram, A short hike up here and youll be able to grab an iconic desert style shot with cactus and the city in the background. Exhibits were well taken care of. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. My group ordered hamburgers, chicken strips, Grilled cheese and fries, All were great. Whether you want to rush through or honestly enjoy the animals and the day you can't go wrong. Nestled in Papago Park, this massive and stunning cacti-filled garden features the largest collection of outdoor desert plants in the world. Open and airy seating. If youre going on a road trip from Tucson to Phoenix, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe and top places to visit like Arizona Zipline Adventures and Tohono Chul | Gardens, Galleries, and Bistro, or the ever-popular DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. I like that you pay per experience and not a general admission. The name "museum" is a bit misleading, since this delightful site is actually a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden featuring the animals,. This oil painting Chapayekas Tenabrae was completed by Ted DeGrazia in 1967. The journey time between Tucson and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, AZ is around 2h 19m and covers a distance of around 115 miles. This 10-acre National Historic District features Southwestern art and architecture by legendary artist Ted DeGrazia with adobe gallery, gift shop, chapel, and artists former home. 8.4 (99 reviews) 357 m - 151 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson 85701. About 30%-40% of the lights on the Illumination Express didnt work or werent turned on.. You can get fresh vegetables picked that morning! Worth the prices if that is your hold up! Even the Gift Shop was amazing. Smack dab in the middle of Phoenix Valley, Camelback Mountain overlooks the whole region. Top cities between Tucson and Scottsdale Best stops along Tucson to Scottsdale drive. The zoo is home to over 1,400 animals and 30 endangered species that are in breeding programs. This is a fun place to learn about desert plants on well-maintained trails, and its the largest botanical garden in the southwest. 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BoulevardScottsdale, AZ 85259-2537(480) 860-2700. Very sweet museum with great views of the Superstition Mountains. I visited Queen Creek Olive Mill on my trip to visiting family. He must have worked constantly for decades. We had lunch, which was fresh and delicious. Unless you're talking about Green Valley or Sierra Vista, Phx to Tuc is easily a two hour drive. and leave at 4:12 pm. This gorgeous park is best explored in the morning, before the sun gets too hot. With the admission to get in, 90% of the staff being kids and the extra charge on the train you would think they could at least make sure the lights were on and working. Wanderlog makes planning a trip so effortless. Towards the back of the room is the mess hall, where you can get ice cream (8 flavors to choose from), hot dogs and pretzels. Amazing!! Top cities between Tucson and Las Vegas Best stops along Tucson to Las Vegas drive. He was such a colorful visionary. The gallery, his former home, his workshop, and the roofless chapel were all built by hand from native materials. The Desert Botanical Garden really comes alive at night. Best time to go would be the cooler months. They have a bistro with calming outdoor ambience.